l'auberge espagnole...

I must admit that I am a big fan of foreign films and in particular French and Spanish cinema. This film is not a new release, in fact, it's nearly 10 years old. However, I think the themes and messages within the film are just as relevant and appealing all these years later and so I wanted to share it with you. I first discovered L'Auberge Espagnole (translated into English as: Pot Luck) when I was about to embark on my year abroad in Barcelona. At the time a friend told me that I couldn't possibly move abroad without first watching this film. The only thing I knew before I ordered it on Amazon was that it was a French language film starring Audrey Tatou who I loved in Amelie. I also knew that it was about a group of Erasmus students in Barcelona (exactly the situation I was about the enter).


So, after sitting down and watching the film for the first time I found myself pondering a lot of questions by the start of the closing credits. Firstly I wondered whether this was what my year abroad was going to be like. Was I going to end up like the protagonist Xavier (tortured by a feeling of hopelessness when I returned back to the UK)? Were all the Erasmus students I would encounter going to be that care free? (actually I didn't doubt this). 

L'Auberge Espagnole is a comedy. There are many characters who make you laugh hysterically for example, William, the cringe inducing but endearing English stereotype of the film. It is also a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. It doesn't set out to be nominated for an Oscar and it doesn't feature a cast of particularly big names. However, it does deal with some deeper issues that are at first hidden under the comic situations the new friends encounter. These include the troubles found in long distant relationships and the feeling of disillusion that seems to affect all young adults at one time or another. In the film disillusion overshadows their education, career path and future life and helps you to realise this it is ok to feel like this. 


Pot Luck is a film that helped me to gain a good understanding of what moving from one country to another is like. Plus, I enjoyed spotting all the locations in Barcelona that I remember! I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants to watch something a little bit different and funny or if you are thinking of moving abroad for some time. There are definitely some do's and don'ts in this film, but I'll let you figure those out for yourself.


Hasta pronto!


EJ x

joe & the juice...

OK! So I can't keep it in any longer. I have to share with you one of my new favourite places to go for a catch up with friends on the weekend. I can't take credit for having discovered this place first hand as it was recommended by a friend, but it really is a cool and different take on the average coffee places I know that I'm fed up with. The big cafe chains (Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Costa etc) are all very similar and you can sometimes feel as if you are just another big sugar-free vanilla skinny latte (my drink of choice) on their conveyor belt of mass produced and bland coffee. Joe & The Juice on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air in the cafe world. 

Situated right next to Oxford Circus Tube Station (281 Regents Street) Joe & The Juice is a Danish company with two locations in central London (the other on Broadwick Street). What I like about this place is as well as serving coffee (the Joe in Joe & The Juice if you will) it also does the most amazing fresh juices you could imagine. With a menu of around 15 different combo juices (try the Hangover Heaven with freshly squeezed orange, elderflower and mint - bliss!) they make the drink up then and there for you. Drinks come in two sizes and I recommend the bigger size as it's better value for money at around £4.50 compared with £3.85. Also try their special ginger shot for a welcome kick if you need an energy boost without the caffein. 

You can then enjoy your coffee or juice in a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere. With cool music and comfy sofas to lounge on, this is a place where you can spend hours chatting away without anyone batting an eyelid. Service is friendly and all the baristas/juicers are (dare I say it) rather easy on the eye! For such a central location I'd say everything is reasonably priced so it's well worth a visit on a weekend afternoon. I know I will be returning ASAP!

Hasta pronto!

EJ x

P.S Thanks for the pictures Tom!